Evan's Story, Chapter 15, Sports Camp

Wheelchair Sports Camp

And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works.

Alma 7-24

   Many families like ours drive to the University of California at Santa Barbara. We park in a full parking lot, and then walk and wheel past a horde of soccer players and moms, and into the UCSB Recreation Center. We pass numerous college students on work-out machines, striving for perfect bodies. The women are young and beautiful; the men are tan and buff. We cross a large lawn over to a gymnasium. Here, we find a different sort of athlete. Like Evan, they are in wheelchairs. (They’ll get their perfect bodies at some other time.) But today, we have arrived at Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp.

   Evan was eight years old when he first attended Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp. I can’t say enough good things about this program, but I’ll give it a try.

   Wheelchair Sports Camp is held every year at UCSB. Every summer, children from eight to nineteen are assembled from Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties for a week of fun. If a child needs to be in a wheelchair to participate in sports, they are invited. The camp has exclusive use of a gymnasium and access to an adjacent pool and tennis courts.

   The campers are divided by age groups and abilities. For many of these children, this week is the only time they mingle with other wheelchair users. They are the center of attention.

   There are many volunteers to assist the campers. Mostly, the volunteers are high school students, but older folks may also volunteer. Cindy and I volunteered in 2007. The Colton family provides numerous volunteers. The mother of this great family, Charlotte Colton, is no longer with us. She was killed in the Goleta Post Office shooting. Since then, the award given to the most outstanding volunteer is the Charlotte Colton Volunteer of the Year Award. Cindy and I are honored to have such a plaque displayed on our office wall.

   This program is a labor of love for the staff. Our friends Rick and Renee Van Hoorn have been directing this program for the last several years. This awesome husband and wife team have children among the volunteers.

   The counselors are incredible men and women. Each group of campers is assigned two counselors. All of the counselors are wheelchair users. Some were paralyzed at birth by spina bifida. Others were paralyzed in accidents. They are here to provide encouragement, guidance, and a good example to their young charges.

   The sports and games they can try are basketball, tennis, racquetball, hand cycling, swimming, rugby, kayaking, and “sharks and minnows.” They can also try a rock climbing wall.

   Evan’s first counselor was a gentle giant named Bill Balles. That year, Evan obtained a squirt bottle. Bill was the frequent target. Better him than me, I say. Evan loved it. Bill is still a counselor at Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp and he is still our friend. When Evan was a teenager, Bill introduced Evan, and several other kids, to powered wheelchair soccer.  

   In this game, guards are attached to the front of each wheelchair. The players are divided into two teams, given an over sized soccer ball, and instructed to hit the ball into their goal. Destroying wheelchairs in the sport is frowned upon. However, the players usually use old power chairs. Evan still plays this sport, but that’s another chapter.

Power soccer Players. Evan is on the front row in a blue shirt.

    

   Our friend Darcy Mumaw was a frequent camper and a counselor. Justin Willits and Liz Lepper are two other friends Evan met here.

   It was at wheelchair sports camp where Evan first used a handcycle. This gave him a taste for speed. It was a great day when Evan received his own handcycle.

Evan on a Jr. wheelchair Sports Camp Handcycle

   The local Santa Barbara TV station often does a segment on the wheelchair sports camp. And once or twice, Evan has appeared on television. I tell you, that kid attracts the camera every chance he gets.

   At the end of the week, awards are given to the campers. One camper is awarded a brand new wheelchair. This can be a godsend for the camper’s family. The final good-byes are often tearful.

   Evan is too old to be a camper, but this year, Cindy, Evan, and I are volunteering. Why not? It’s a great program.

Evan, Katie and Thomas (This Katie is Thomas's sister.)